Random bits

The end of the week is coming and not too soon, I might add. Next week begins a new chapter in my life. My first-born will go to kindergarten and her little brother heads to preschool for 3 mornings out of the week. It's exciting to me and I hope they both adjust to their new schedules. I'm lucky in that both kids enjoy being around other people and can get along with most kids. Now, the big adjustment will probably be this lazy butt of a mother getting up every morning and being organized. (Let's hope I can get my rear end in gear soon). So, with school around the corner, I had to take Kendall to the doctor yesterday to get her shots. She got 4 separate shots and did not cry. She whimpered a bit and then stopped. I told her in the car that it is OK to cry and she said, "no, it's not OK to cry." I must hit my husband up side the head because I know he is putting these notions into her head. She was great at the doctor and did everything they asked.

And it's football season! Oh boy. Tons of people flocking to Mecca on the weekends wearing their blue and white. WE ARE PENN STATE! (My husband and I joke around and say "WE BE PENN STATE"). Every time I have been at the grocery store this last week (because I am not organized to shop once a week), I have seen people staring off into space as to say, "where, oh where, is the cereal aisle?" You can always spot a new person to town by the way they shop in the grocery store. I'm sad to see summer ending and just hope the next few months go by so fast that I won't know what hit me. Did I say that summer was my favorite season? Oh, I might add that my Razorbacks are ranked either 20 or 21, depending on which poll you look at. And to be fair, Penn State is ranked higher.

One more thing. Tomorrow is Cheryl's birthday. She was my best friend in second grade and we were best friends on and off throughout elementary school. I moved across town and attended a different junior high and then she moved just before high school. We lost touch and last summer I was reconnected through our high school reunion website. She is the reason I even blog. Her blog was the first one I ever read and I got hooked.

Well, off to bed and get ready for one more day of work. And then off to the big city for the weekend.

It's Business Time...ok, not really.

I want to upload a video from youtube.com but I can't figure it out just yet. For now, if you want to see a funny, funny parody, click here. Our friend, Richard, from New Zealand showed us this group. We thought this was a good one for all to enjoy.

Confessions of an Extrovert...

Lately, I have been around a lot of people. Usually, I love it and get energized from that. But, for about a week now, I have been with a group of people day in and day out, and I am getting tired. It all started last Wednesday when my husband picked me up after work and we drove 3 1/2 hours to meet his friends from his undergrad years. The wives and kids came, so it was a big group. We hung out for 3, count them, 3 days at a lake that was rocky and the weather was not so nice all the time. Anyway, I realized that even this extrovert needs her space and time to be alone. Yep, you read it right. ALONE. No people. No non-family hanging around. There, I said it.

So, Sunday, our old friend, Rich, rode back with us to State College so he could clear out his old office at Penn State. He stayed with us for two nights. Our old friend, Richard from New Zealand flew in Sunday night and stayed with us, too. I have been looking forward to his visit and, unfortunately, we haven't had time just to chill and hang out. Richard (NZ) is an awesome cook and I think he has been cooking a lot for people (while visiting a colleague at U of A). So, my husband has been scheduling dinners since Richard is here and it's been really busy( and I think Richard could use some down time too). Oh well. Anyway, I digress.

So, I see light at the end of this friend smothering week. And I am grateful for friends--don't get me wrong. This extrovert just needs a day to do nothing and hang with her two kids and hubby.

Whew! I feel better.

Long Time Gone...

It seems like we have been traveling a lot this summer. We just got back from a few days in Ithaca, New York. It was a reunion with some of Pete's friends from undergraduate days at Cornell and a visit with some friends that just moved up there this summer. I am tired. The weather was not that great, but I think Pete enjoyed himself. The guys had rented a few cabins and a lake house on Cayuga Lake. Mostly, people hung out, went out on the boat, and ate. I did take our kids to the Trumansburg Ag fair for a few hours with our friends that just moved up there. The high light was a hike through one of the gorges.

I can't believe how beautiful this area is. These parks were only a few minutes out of Ithaca and there are gorges throughout Ithaca itself. No wonder people say, "Ithaca is gorges."

So, that is our long weekend. And there is another one coming up. Off to NYC for Labor Day and to see off the in-laws as they head out to Asia for a few weeks. Then school starts back for the public schools and I will settle into some kind of routine.

Missed the boat

I think I have missed the boat on potty training the little guy. He's over 3, so, duh. He demands a pull up. He is starting preschool in a couple of weeks, so I am tempted to send him 'cold turkey' and let the peer pressure do it. Copping out, you say? Perhaps. It seems like the summer would have been the perfect time, but we have been gone so much and there hasn't been a chance to establish a nice routine. Excuses, you say? Perhaps. All I know, is that I am tired of keeping track of the bathroom habits of small children! I'm not wishing my life (or theirs) away, just wishing to get over this last hump. Patience is a virtue. Therein lies the problem...

Wanna laugh?

I found this link on a blog that my husband reads. It will make you laugh. A little goofy, but what the heck? You only live once. Enjoy!

ps I like Power Date 1.

Happy Birthday, Kendall!!!

Five years ago, my life changed for the better. Kendall Louise was born by c-section since she didn't like being upside down in the womb. She was the most beautiful little girl, weighing in at a whopping 6 lb. 4 oz.

I have to admit, for the most part, I am flying by the seat of my pants. I am the youngest of three, was never a baby-sitter, and fairly selfish. Having Kendall has taught me that it's not all about me and I have experienced a love that I never knew existed.

There she is about to blow out her candles. I bought the cake. It had to be Tinkerbell.
Kendall had so much fun. What girl doesn't like being the center of attention? (and getting presents to boot?)

One the games we played was "Oh no, Tinkerbell lost her star!" It is like Pin the tail on the donkey only you put a star on the top of her wand. I drew the Tinkerbell. The weather was not great, so we had to play inside games. After the cake, the girls just played their own games.

New photos on Flickr

I had a chance to upload some photos from our Maine vacation. They can be seen here.

Sigh of relief...

The last few days have been a little stressful. Clayton had an MRI on his heart to look at an artery that is slightly narrowed. It turned out that he won't need intervention, which is a relief. The echo couldn't look at everything, hence the MRI. Still, we had to wake him up and feed him at 6 am, drive two hours to the closest Children's Hospital, and check in. His appointment was at 1 pm, but we had to be there by noon. He was great. He cooperated with the techs and nurses. They had to put in an IV and he did cry a little for that. I can't tell you how proud I was of him. As a person that works in the health industry, I can tell you it is such a relief when children cooperate. I got to hold him as they sedated him. I laid him down on the scanner table, gave him a kiss, and left the room. *

About an hour later, the doctor came to the holding room after the exam to give us the good news. Whew! Clayton was still a little groggy but in good spirits.

Now, on to other pressing things. This weekend is Kendall's 5th birthday party. (her actual bday is on Monday, the 20th). So, I must get organized for that and order the cake. I can't believe it. Turning 5 and then starting kindergarten in September. Where did the years go?


*a huge 'thank you' to my friend, Ronda, for watching Kendall while we took Clayton to the hospital

Goodbye Softball and maybe my favorite pair of sandals...

Tonight was my last softball game for the season. It went by way too fast. So does summer, as far as I am concerned.

But the real big thing that happened today was a big bonehead move on my part. I have an awesome pair of sandals that are at least 3, maybe 4 years, old. The sole was starting to separate in the front so I thought I would just buy some glue and fix it. Well, I fixed it, alright. I was comparing glues and noticed that some dried clear. Did I buy one of those glues? Heck, no! So, I came home, put the glue where I wanted it and Voila'!

OK, I am a little cheap, but I love these sandals! The brand is Reef and I can't find them anywhere like this. They are like Teva, only toe sandals. I guess I will get them really dirty and hopefully, no one will notice.

Back from Maine

Here are a couple of pics from our trip. There are more to come later on this week.

100th post

Wow! It just seems like yesterday I figured out this blogging thing. Ha I have heard one is supposed to tell 100 things about oneself on the 100th blog, but I can't think of a hundred things! :)

What I do want to put out there is this great picture of Clayton and a little guy named Dustin. They were the two ring bearers for my niece's wedding. I took the same picture but this was just sent to me, and it is so much better!!!

I especially love the smiles on everyone's faces!

Shark Week

It's shark week on the Discovery Channel and my husband is watching it non-stop. Is this a guy thing or what? I just don't get what is so great about watching this big fish, with all those teeth, swim around in the ocean. If you see a shark, get the heck out of the water. And they are powerful, mysterious and all that stuff. I guess it's just not my cup of tea.

Now, shark on the grill.....I understand that!!